Dodge Stepping Up To The Yamaha Challenge
AKA press release
Cairns driver Lydon Dodge is eyeing off the biggest prize of his karting career as the Yamaha Challenge in the CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE, nears the half way mark.
Above: Lydon Dodge on his way to victory at the Bolivar Raceway in South Australia last month
pic - AF Images
Dodge has been the strongest performer in the Clubman category during the opening two rounds in the series with a pair of victories aboard his CRG kart. As a result he currently holds a 48-point lead at the top of the standings.
Having raced for more than ten years now, Dodge believes a new approach to his racing in 2011 is paying dividends – particular in the Yamaha Challenge.
“So far everything has really fallen into place for me this year in the Yamaha Challenge. I’ve tried to mature myself as a driver and it appears to be paying off,” said Dodge.
“With the style of racing in the series you have to be fast but also patient and make sure you stay out of trouble. It’s all about finishing every race to rack up the points towards the championship.
“In the past I’ve probably worried too much about winning every race I’m in rather than just finishing the heats up near the front before stepping it up a gear when the big points are on offer in the finals.”
The 24 year-old heads to the next round (June 18/19) with a handy buffer over his nearest rival at the top of the point standings. However, with a trip to compete in Japan on the line, Dodge knows there is still a long way to go in the five-round series.
“In the past I haven’t had a good run at either Bolivar (South Australia) or Todd Road (Melbourne). I got over the hurdle at Bolivar to get the monkey off my back last round, now it’s time to get a good result at Todd Road (venue for round three),” said Dodge.
“It's good to have a bit of a lead in the points but I know that with one bad round it can all be gone, so I’ve really got to stay focused on the big prize and keep finishing up near the front.”
If successful in his quest to win the Yamaha Challenge it will be the biggest win of Dodge’s career. He is supported in his quest by KartCity, Autobarn Cairns, Penrite Oil, JP Express, Campbell’s Freight and Underwood Party Hire.
New South Wales driver Aaron Borg is second in the standings, 48 points adrift of Dodge with Brett Robinson only five points further back.
The battle for the Junior National Title is heating up also with the top three in the points being separated by a mere 28 points. James Abela sits on top of the standings on 134 points ahead of fellow Sydneysider Stefan Stankovic and Queenslander Callum Walker.
Round three of the CIK Stars of Karting Series presented by Castrol EDGE, incorporating the Yamaha Challenge, will be hosted by the Go-Kart Club of Victoria in Port Melbourne on June 18/19.
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: Top Five after Round 2 of 5
Pro Light (KF1)
1. Jake Spencer - 138
2. Grant Smith - 120
3. Cian Fothergill - 110
4. Adam Hughes - 108
5. Matthew Waters - 107
Pro Gearbox (KZ2)
1. Kel Treseder - 126
2. Tyler Greenbury - 115
3. Matthew Wall - 114
4. Scott Taylor - 113
5. Jason Pringle - 109
Pro Junior (KF3)
1. Pierce Lehane - 153
2. Jake Klarich - 141
3. Joseph Mawson - 132
4. Brock Plumb - 118
5. Jake Coleman - 113
YAMAHA CHALLENGE
Clubman
1. Lydon Dodge - 160
2. Aaron Borg - 112
3. Brett Robinson - 107
4. Brooke Topp - 101
5. Brenton Simonds - 100
Junior National
1. James Abela - 134
2. Stefan Stankovic - 126
3. Callum Walker - 106
4. James Duckworth - 96
5. Mitchell Kennedy - 93
